Well tool for placing tubular element in well



May 31, 1966 w. K. LAYNE, sR 3,253,653

WELL TOOL FOR PLACING TUBULAR ELEMENT IN WELL Filed Sept. 18, 1963 WM@ZM/fm United States Patent O 3,253,653 WELL TOOL FOR PLACING TUBULARELEMENT IN WELL Warren K. Layne, Sr., 9762 Westview, Houston, Tex. FiledSept. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 309,665 7 Claims. (Cl. 166-63) This inventionrelates to a well tool for placing a tubular element in a well bore,well casing or the like. More particularly, the invention relates to acable or wire line supporting well tool for attaching to the upperportion of a tubular element, such as a well screen, and having meansfor supporting said tubular element during lettingin and an explosivecharge for releasing the tubular element 4at a predetermined time.

In placing a tubular element, such as a screen in the bottom of the wellbore, it is desirable to have a tool which can accomplish this resultwith a minimum of time and effort and in a positive and controllableoperation. When operating in la well bore, there is limited room formaneuvering a tool to accomplish the desired result. Moreover, the toolwill generally be operated by remote control because of the depth ofmost well bores.

The prior art is prolix with examples of various lettingin tools, noneof which are as satisfactory as the present invention for .a number ofreasons. Some of those reasons include: (l) the letting-in tool must besupported and lowered by attachment to a string of tubing requiring, inmany instances, several hours to run into and bring out of Athe well onthevreturn trip; (2) the letting-in tool is manipulated by various upand down, and/ or rotational movements, all of which are dicult tocontrol from Va remote position; (3) the tool is operated by uidpressure which is difficult to accurately control; (4) spring and detentball arrangements may be used which may be subject to easy malfunction;and (5) various other deliciencies.

.It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved welltool for placing a tubular element in a well, which tool is easilyoperated by remote control and which utilizes an explosive charge torelease the tubular element.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved well toolwhich can easily and quickly be run into and out of the well by means ofa cable or wire line.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved welltool for placing a tubular elemen-t in a well, which tool may be easilyattached to the 'top portion of the setting in the assembled conditionand which can be operated to release the tubular element by detonatingan explosive charge at a predetermined time.

These and other objects of the invention will be obvious from thedescription herein.

Broadly stated, the invention comprises a well tool for placing atubular element, such as a well screen, in a well bore or well casing.The element with which the instant tool operates has a generally tubularupper portion with a downwardly facing external shoulder. The Well toolis generally formed with a body member sufliciently small in diameter toclear the well bore or casing. Means are provided at the upper end ofthe body member for securing a cable or wire line.

On the lower end of the body member, a plurality of flexible segments orfingers are attached thereto and extend downwardly therefrom, forming aninternal bore for axially receiving therein the upper portion of thetubular element.

At least one, and preferably all, of the fingers have radially inwardlyextending portions or projections which form a lower internal bore ofreduced size. The

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inwardly extending portions are arranged to engage with and support theexternal shoulder of the ktubular element when in the assembledcondition.

Retaining means are provided for restraining the radially outwardmovement of the fingers, thus keeping the tool in the assembledcondition and thereby connected to and supporting the tubular element,until a predetermined time.

An explosive charge is positioned adjacent to the retaining means sothat upon detonation of the explosive charge, the retaining means willbe severed, thereby permitting the radially outward movement of thelingers when the tool is then raised. Thus, the fingers ride upon andover the external shoulder of the tubular element, whereby the elementis released and the letting-in tool may be removed from the well.

Means are also provided for detonating the explosive charge at apredetermined time so that the operation may be accurately timed andpositively controlled.

The invention may be further understood by reference to the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a Vertical side elevation view, partially in central section,showing the assembled condition or attached phase of operation of oneembodiment of the tool.

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. l but showing the release phase afterthe explosive charge has been detonated and the tubular elementreleased.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken at line 3 3 of FIG. 1 and shows ingreater detail certain portions of the lower ends of the flexiblefingers and associated elements.

The body of the tool is generally annular and is of a size to clear theinternal diameter of the well bore or casing in which the tubularelement is to be placed. Referring to FIG. 1, the body member isconveniently shown as comprising sub 11, which is tubular in shape andhaving an internally threaded upper portion which is secured to cap 12having a reduced size externally threaded lower portion 13 and aradially inwardly tapering upper portion having an axial opening withinternal threads which engage the threads of connector 15, the upper endof which is connected to a cable or wire line (not shown) having anelectrical conductor, diagrammatically shown as lead 16. Lead 16 passesdown through connector 15, cap 12 and out through port 17 near thebottom of sub 11, to the outside of the tool.

Sub 11 has lower end 18 with a reduced diameter and threads thereon,which engage with an annular body member or collar 19. Circumferentiallyspaced apart and connected to the lower end of collar 19 is a pluralityof flexible segments or fingers 21 which extend generally downwardlytherefrom. Thus the internal surfaces of fingers 21 form an enlargedinternal bore. At least one, and preferably all, of the fingers 21 havea radially inwardly extending lower projection 22, forming an upwardlyfacing shoulder 23, hence forming a lower internal bore with a reduceddiameter.

Retaining means conveniently shown in the form of a retaining band ormember such as steel strap 26 is secured circumferentially around thelower ends of fingers 21, and is conveniently positioned incircumferential grooves 27 formed on the outside surfaces of the lowerends of fingers 21. Strap 26 restricts the radially outward movement oflingers 21.

A vertical slot or recess 28 is formed or provided in the outsidesurface of the lower end of one of the fingers 21 so that the recess 28lies under and across strap 26. An explosive means or charge such asdetonator cap 29 is positioned in recess 28, and is thus adjacent to andunder strap 26 where it is there held. Lead 16 passes down 3 the outsideof the finger 21 via external longitudinal channel 30 and is connectedto detonator cap 29 positioned in recess 28. Thus, at a predeterminedtime, detonator cap 29 may be detonated by passing an electrical impulseor current down lead 16 from a control station above surface.

One of the fingers 21 is also provided with a band or strap retainingmeans such as a U-shaped clamp 31 which bridges across strap 26 and issecured to the outside of the finger 21 to which attached. Thus, whenstrap 26 has been severed, it will still be retained on the tool insevered condition by claimp 31, thus preventing it from dropping intothe well.

The tubular element, such as a well screen for example, is made up witha guide plug or set shoe (not shown) on the bottom of the screen (notshown) and a suitable section of blank line or tubing 33 thereabove witha collar or upset 34 forming a downwardly facing annular externalshoulder 3S. In the assembled condition or attached phase, shoulder 35will be engaged and supported by upwardly facing shoulders 23 of fingers2l.

The letting-in tool is attached to upset 34 by expanding fingers 21thereover, as upset 34 is moved axially into the upper internal recessformed by fingers 21. When upset 34 is positioned such that downwardlyfacing shoulder 35 engages upwardly facing shoulders 23, then strap 26is secured about thel ower ends of lingers 21 by conventional means,such as by rivets, a buckle or the like. It is to be understood thatdownwardly facing external shoulder 3S may take many different forms,such as an annular recess in the upper end of tubing 33, .or anotherwise reduced portion, with a larger portion thereabove. Similarly,upwardly facing shoulders 35 may take other forms, such as lugs orprojections, but which function in the same manner.

In operation, the tool as shown in the assembled condition in FIG. l, islet down into the well bore by a wire line to the desired location, suchas the bottom of the Well. With the tubular element lowered to thedesired position, detonator cap 29 is then exploded by an electricalcurrent, controlled from the surface and via lead 16. Upon detonation ofcap 29, strap 26 is broken or severed, thereby releasing fingers 21 sothat they may move radially outward.

Then, by taking up on the wire line, the well tool is raised relative totubing 33 and upset 34. As a result, shoulders 23 of expanded fingers 21ride upwardly and outwardly over downwardly facing external shoulder 35of upset 34. At this point, the tubular element will be released, as isshown in FIG. 2. Detonator cap 29 is shown ruptured, strap 26 is shownin severed condition and is being retainably supported by clamp 31. TheWell tool may then be withdrawn from the well and reassembled foranother operation.

The entire procedure of placing the tubular element in the well by theuse of this novel wire line well tool can be completed in a matter ofminutes, compared to hours using other tools. It is easily operated andaccurately controlled by use of a wire line. The tubular element may bereadily released at a predetermined time by a simple electrical impulseor signal.

There are, of course, many alternatives available with this apparatus,which still fall within the scope of the invention. For example,detonating means other than an electrical current from above ground maybe used, as is well known to those skilled in the art of remotedetonation of explosive charges, such as a timing device and batteryattached to the tool.

Moreover, steel strap 26 could take other forms, such as a steel cable,and be of other material, and still function in the same restrainingmanner. Also, rather than encircling fingers 21, strap 26 could bethreaded through an opening through the fingers.

Other modifications may be made in the invention as particularlydescribed without departing from the scope lof the invention.Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed illustrativelyonly and is not to be construed as a limitation upon the invention asdefined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A well tool for placing a tubular element in a well, said tubularelement having a generally tubular upper portion with a downwardlyfacing external shoulder, said well tool comprising:

a body member,

means for attaching said body member to a lowering cable,

a plurality of flexible segments attached to the lower end of said bodymember and extending generally downwardly therefrom and forming an upperinternal bore for receiving said upper portion of said tubular element,

at least one of said segments having a radially inwardly extending lowerportion forming a reduced lower internal bore for engaging said externalshoulder of said tubular element in the assembled condition,

retaining means secured to said segments for restrainingdthe radiallyoutward movement of said segments, an

an explosive charge positioned adjacent said retaining means forsevering said retaining means upon detonation thereof.

2. A well tool for placing a tubular element in a well, said tubularelement having an upper portion with a downwardly facing externalshoulder, said well tool comprising:

a generally annular body member,

mearlijsl for attaching said body member to a lowering ca e,

a plurality of flexible fingers attached to the lower end of said bodymember in a generally downwardly extending direction and forming anupper internal bore for receiving said upper Iportion of said tubularelement therein,

said fingers having radially inwardly extending lower portions forming areduced lower internal bore for engaging said external shoulder of saidtubular element in the assembled condition,

retaining means secured to said fingers for restricting the radiallyoutward movement of said fingers, and

an explosive charge positioned .adjacent said retaining means forsevering said retaining means upon detonation thereof.

3. A well tool for placing a tubular element in a well, said tubularelement having a tubular upper portion with a `downwardly facingexternal shoulder, said well tool comprising:

a generally annular body member,

means for attaching said body member to a wire line,

a plurality of flexible fingers attached to the lower end of said bodymember in a generally downwardly extending direction and forming anupper internal bore for receiving said upper portion of said tubularelement therein,

said fingers having radially inwardly extending lower portions withupwardly facing shoulders forming a reduced lower internal bore forengaging said external shoulder of said tubular element in the assembledcondition,

retaining means secured around the 'lower ends of said fingers forrestricting the radially outward movement of said fingers, and

an explosive charge positioned adjacent said retaining means forsevering said retaining means upon detonation thereof.

4. A well tool for placing a tubular element in a well, Said tubularelement having a tubular upper portion with a downwardly facing annularexternal shoulder, said well tool comprising:

a generally annular body member,

means for attaching said body member to a lowering wire line,

said wire line having conductor means for transmitting an electricalimpulse,

a plurality of flexible fingers attached to the lower end of said bodymember in a generally downwardly extending direction and forming anupper internal bore for receiving said upper portion of said tubularelement therein,

said fingers having radially inwardly extending lower portions withupwardly facing shoulders forming a reduced lower internal bore forengaging said external shoulder of said tubular element in the assembledcondition,

a retaining band secured around the lower ends of said fingers forrestricting the radially outward movement of said fingers,

an explosive charge positioned under said band for severing said bandupon detonation thereof by said electrical impulse transmitted throughsaid conductor means.

S. A well tool for placing a tubular element in a well, said tubularelement having a tubular upper portion with a downwardly facing annularexternal shoulder, said Well tool comprising:

a generally annular body member,

means for attaching said body member to a lowering wire line,

said wire line having conductor means for transmitting an electricalimpulse,

a plurality of flexible ngers attached to the lower end of said bodymember and extending downwardly therefrom and forming an upper internalbore for axially receiving said upper portion of said tubular p elementtherein, said fingers having radially inwardly extending lower portionswith upwardly facing shoulders forming a reduced lower internal bore forengaging said external shoulder of said tubular element in the assembledcondition, and a circumferential groove around the outside of said lowerportions,

a retaining band positioned in said circumferential groove andsurrounding said fingers for restricting the radially outward movementof said fingers, and

an explosive charge positioned under said band for severing said bandupon detonation thereof by transmission of said electrical impulsethrough said conductor means to said explosive charge.

6. A well tool for placing a tubular element in a well, said tubularelement having a tubular upper portion with a downwardly facing annularexternal shoulder, said well tool comprising:

a generally annular body member,

means for attaching said body member to a lowering wire line,

said wire line having conductor means for transmitting an electricalsignal,

a plurality of flexible fingers attached to the lower end of said bodymember in a generally downwardly extending direction and forming anupper internal bore for axially receiving said upper portion of saidtubular element therein,

said fingers having radially inwardly extending lower portions withupwardly facing shoulders forming a reduced lower internal bore forengaging said external shoulder of said tubular element in the assembledcondition,

one of said fingers formed with an external recess in the lower portionthereof for receiving an explosive charge,

said explosive charge being connected to said conductor means anddetonated by said electrical signal received therefrom at apredetermined time, and

a retaining band secured around the lower ends of said fingers andoverlying said explosive charge for restricting the radially outwardmovement of said fingers, whereby said band is severed-upon detonationof said explosive charge. i

7. A well tool for placing a tubular element in a well,

said tubular element having a tubular upper portion with a downwardlyfacing annular external shoulder, said well tool comprising:

a generally tubular body member,

means for attaching said body member to a lowering wire line,

said wire line having an electrical conductor for transmitting anelectrical signal,

a'plurality of flexible fingers circumferentially -spaced apart andattached to the lower end of said body member in a generally downwardlyextending direc tion and forming an upper internal bore for axiallyreceiving said upper portion of said tubular element therein,

said fingers having radially inwardly extending lower portions forming areduced lower internal bore and for engaging said external shoulder ofsaid tubular element in the assembled condition, and

a circumferential groove around the outside of said lower portions,

one of said fingers being provided with an external recess in the lowerportion thereof for receiving an explosive charge,

said explosive charge being connected to said conductor means anddetonated by said electrical signal received therefrom at apredetermined time,

a retaining band positioned in said circumferential groove and overlyingsaid explosive charge for restricting the radially outward movement ofsaid fingers, whereby said band is severed upon detonation of saidexplosive charge, and

hand retainer means for retaining said band after severance thereof.

References Cited by. the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1932 Mechlinget al 166-182 4/ 1954 Livers 285-33 12/1960 Johns 166-63 2/ 1961 PoulterIGZ-7.2

1. A WELL TOOL FOR PLACING A TUBULAR ELEMENT IN A WELL, SAID TUBULARELEMENT HAVING A GENERALLY TUBULAR UPPER PORTION WITH A DOWNWARDLYFACING EXTERNAL SHOULDER, SAID WELL TOOL COMPRISING: A BODY MEMBER,MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID BODY MEMBER TO A LOWERING CABLE, A PLURALITY OFFLEXIBLE SEGMENTS ATTACHED TO THE LOWER END OF SAID BODY MEMBER ANDEXTENDING GENERALLY DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM AND FORMING AN UPPER INTERNALBORE FOR RECEIVING SAID UPPER PORTION OF SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT, AT LEASTONE OF SAID SEGMENTS HAVING A RADIALLY INWARDLY EXTENDING LOWER PORTIONFORMING A REDUCED LOWER INTERNAL BORE FOR ENGAGING SAID EXTERNALSHOULDER OF SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT IN THE ASSEMBLED CONDITION, RETAININGMEANS SECURED TO SAID SEGMENTS FOR RESTRAINING THE RADIALLY OUTWARDMOVEMENT OF SAID SEGMENTS, AND AN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE POSITIONED ADJACENTSAID RETAINING MEANS FOR SEVERING SAID RETAINING MEANS UPON DETONATIONTHEREOF.